NFL Playoff Scenarios

The following teams still have potential playoff relevance heading into the final week of the regular season. The most likely and plausible scenarios are covered here.

All week 17 games are divisional games.

Betting lines are as of the time of this writing.

AFC:

1. Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs can clinch the AFC West and lock up the #1 seed with a win.

The betting line with the Raiders (4-11) has the game total at 54 points with the Chiefs (11-4) as -13.5 point home favorites, kicking off at 4:25 PM EST. The Chiefs’ implied team total is currently at 33.75 points and the Raiders are currently at 20.25 points.

However unlikely, the Chiefs could drop to a wild-card spot with a loss AND a Chargers win, giving the AFC West to the Chargers.

2. New England Patriots – The Patriots have clinched the AFC East and a win gives the Pats a first-round bye.

The betting line with the Jets (4-11) has the game total at 45.5 points with the Patriots (10-5) as -13.5 point home favorites, kicking off at 1:00 PM EST. The Patriots’ implied team total is currently at 29.5 points and the Jets are currently at 16 points.

However unlikely, the Patriots have a chance at the #1 seed with a win AND with both the Chiefs and Chargers losing. It would not be surprising if the Pats bubble-wrapped Rob Gronkowski in this game, as this was the case in last season’s week 17 game in a similar scenario.

The betting line with the Jaguars (5-10) has the game total at 40.5 points with the Texans (10-5) as -7 point home favorites, kicking off at 1:00 PM EST. The Texans’ implied team total is currently at 23.75 points and the Jags are currently at 16.75 points.

At worst, the Texans would clinch a wild-card spot with a loss, with the AFC South division winner being the winner of the Colts @ Titans game, based on the division record tiebreaker.

4. Baltimore Ravens – A win OR a Steelers’ loss clinches the Ravens the AFC North.

The betting line with the Browns (7-7-1) has the game total at 41 points with the Ravens (9-6) as -6 point home favorites, kicking off at 4:25 PM EST. The Ravens’ implied team total is currently at 23.5 points and the Browns are currently at 17.5 points.

The betting line with the Broncos (6-9) has the game total at 41.5 points with the Chargers (11-4) as -6.5 point road favorites, kicking off at 4:25 PM EST. The Chargers’ implied team total is currently at 24 points and the Broncos are currently at 17.5 points.

However unlikely, the Chargers do have a shot to take the AFC West with a win AND a Chiefs loss.

The betting line with the Titans (9-6) has the game total at 44 points with the Colts (9-6) as -2.5 point home favorites, kicking off at 8:25 PM EST. The Colts’ implied team total is currently at 22 points and the Titans are currently at 19.5 points.

Pittsburgh Steelers – The Steelers need help to get into the playoffs. Their best scenario to get in would be with a win AND a Ravens’ loss, giving the Steelers the AFC North.

The betting line with the Bengals (6-9) has the game total at 45.5 points with the Steelers (8-6-1) as -14.5 point home favorites, kicking off at 4:25 PM EST. The Steelers’ implied team total is currently at 30 points and the Bengals are currently at 15.5 points.

NFC:

1. New Orleans Saints – The Saints won the NFC South and are locked in as the #1 seed. Essentially, the Saints have nothing to play for.

The betting line with the Panthers (6-9) has the game total at 45 points with the Saints (13-2) as -9 point home favorites. The Saints’ implied team total is currently at 27 points and the Panthersare currently at 18 points.

2. Los Angeles Rams – The Rams won the NFC West, but will need a win OR a Bears loss to secure a first-round bye.

The betting line with the 49ers (4-11) has the game total at 50 points with the Rams (12-3) as -10 point home favorites, kicking off at 4:25 PM EST. The Rams’ implied team total is currently at 30 points and the 49ers are currently at 20 points. RB Todd Gurley’s (knee) status is currently unknown.

3. Chicago Bears (11-4) – The Bears won the NFC North, and are at worst the #3 seed. A possibility exists for the Bears to finish as the #2 seed and get a first-round bye with a win AND a Rams loss.

The betting line with the Vikings (8-6-1) has the game total at 41 points with the Bears (11-4) as +5 point road dogs, kicking off at 4:25 PM EST. The Bears’ implied team total is currently at 18 points and the Vikings are currently at 23 points.

6. Minnesota Vikings – The Vikings can secure a playoff spot with a win OR an Eagles loss. They can also get in with a win AND a Seahawks loss.

4. Dallas Cowboys – The Cowboys won the NFC East and are locked in as the #4 seed. The Cowboys have nothing to play for.

The betting line with the Giants (5-10) has the game total at 41.5 points with the Cowboys (9-6) as +6 point road dogs. The Cowboys’ implied team total is currently at 17.75 points and the Giants are currently at 23.75 points.

5. Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks clinched a wild-card spot. They can end up as either the 5th or 6th seed.

The betting line with the Cardinals (3-12) has the game total at 38.5 points (lowest on the board) with the Seahawks (9-6) as -13.5 point home favorites. The Seahawks’ implied team total is currently at 26 points and the Cardinals are currently at 12.5 points.

Philadelphia Eagles – The Eagles need help to a land wild-card spot. The Eagles need a win AND a Vikings loss to get in.

The betting line with the Redskins (7-8) has the game total at 42 points with the Eagles (8-7) as -6.5 point road favorites. The Eagles’ implied team total is currently at 24.5 points and the Redskins are currently at 17.75 points.